Hayden Greer {meeting big brother}

My brother and sister went to pick up Hudson once Hayden arrived. We did our best to avoid him waiting around the hospital because a toddler with nothing to do makes for a long day!

When he came in he said, "Mommy, he's out of your belly button!" There was lots of observing and talking about "baby ayden" as it sounds in Hudson talk.

He finally decided it was alright to give him a kiss, but wasn't ready to hold him yet. 

He had a million questions, just like any toddler does. 

He also had to know where Hayden was at all times. He kept tabs on who was holding him or where he went. He was especially worried when the nurses would have to take him to the nursery.

We wanted Hudson to feel special on this big day for his brother so "Hayden" came bearing gifts. 

Of course it had to be Thomas gifts. He would say "Hayden got me Thomas, that's so nice."

A few Thomas books too!

And that meant Hayden got quickly introduced to Thomas. He really wanted him to hold Thomas, so we had to explain that he couldn't play toys just yet. 

After some snuggles and iPhone games with mommy, Hud decided he was ready to hold his baby brother. 

Anytime he hold him it doesn't last long, like a total of 1.2 seconds. But he is very sweet and really loves his brother. He tells everyone "It's baby Hayden" and always want to know where he is and what he is doing. He gets really excited when "his eyes are open" and loves to help mommy with things like baths and talks about teaching him to pee in the potty and show him how to be a big boy. I am so thankful he loves that baby boy and is sweet to him. I'm not by any means saying that Hud has been perfect and it hasn't been a challenge to balance them both, but at least they love each other through all that hard stuff, that's what is most important! I am so blessed by two really sweet and loving boys!

Hayden Greer {arrival}

A lot has happened in the past two weeks-including a newborn. We've been without a computer since we got home from the hospital (it's dead:() so I'm going to make an attempt to catch up. There are no guarantees with a newborn and toddler in this house, but here we go!

We left for the hospital on Nov. 14th at 6am to get checked in. Once again, I was scheduled to be induced because I apparently am not capable of going into labor on my own.

Our room was huge and so nice! That big cabinet is a pull out bed for daddy-although not comfortable it was better than the chair he had at Hud's delivery! Anyway, we got checked in and they got me hooked up to monitors and IVs and all of that fun!

Mom brought Hudson to see us so that he would begin to understand what the day was all about. As soon as he walked in the door he said "Mommy, get up!" He wasn't a huge fan of me lying in the hospital bed.

After he got to hang out for a while mom took him to Ms. Heather's (our babysitter) so he could try to have somewhat of a normal day. His normal was about to change in a big way! Other people were there hanging out too-my mom, sisters, and Ryan's mom were there for a good part of the day.

I was progressing pretty well in labor and started to have some serious pain, so I asked for an epidural and received it sometime between 11-11:30. I had some pain medicine before the epidural that makes me SO sleepy so once I had my epidural and was more comfortable I rested for a while. I knew I was making lots of progress because I was really beginning to feel the pressure! Thankfully the nurse walked in about the time I was ready to call and say I was ready to have this baby! She agreed that we were definitely ready so they got the doctor over as quick as they could.  I think all of this started happening around 2:40...

At 3:02 we welcomed our second bundle of joy to the world! I was honestly shocked by how fast it all happened! A pediatrician was there to do respiratory therapy on him since he had passed meconium while in the womb. Thankfully he checked out perfect and healthy!

He weighed in at 7lbs 7oz and 20 inches. His head measured 14 in, chest 13, and waist 12 1/2.

We think he is perfect in every way. Ps 139:14

And of course it wouldn't be our baby if he didn't have a full head of hair! The first thing the nurses said to me after his birth was "You must of had a lot of heartburn" Thankfully I can say that the old wives tale is not true for this mama! 

He was immediately welcomed with lots of visitors! My entire immediate family was there, Ryan's parents, sister Jessica and niece Sarah. Then he got to meet big brother...

40 Weeks!

How Far Along: 40 Weeks and still no baby!
Size of baby: about the size of a small pumpkin(Doctor still thinks he will be a “little guy” aka probably not close to 9lbs.)

Weight Gain/Loss: +29lbs, I actually lost a few more ounces, my belly measured 37cm
Maternity Clothes: Ugh, everything seems too short to fit over the bump and it’s making it hard to get dressed in the mornings!

Gender: It’s still a boy! {Hayden Greer}
Movement: Yes, it’s hilarious to watch my belly and the random body parts you can see (or at least guess) pushing out! He puts on quite a show! He especially loves moving in the shower and when I lay down in bed each night.
Sleep: I’m up usually once or twice a night and there is no sleeping in either!

What I miss: Sleep! And that won’t be back for a long while! And clothes that fit!

Cravings: Water!

Symptoms: big belly, a several very random and far apart contractions.

Best Moment this week: My last doctor’s appointment! Because leaving there knowing the next time we would see her was when were having a baby was so nice! Not because we don’t like our doctor but we are just so anxious to have him in our arms!  And I was happy to hear that I made a little bit of progress on my own (dilated to a 2+) which never happened with Hud!

Halloween

Colleen mentioned that she was planning on getting Julian a Buzz costume for Halloween, which I thought was great because I was already planning on getting Woody for Hud. So we decided that we had to get the boys together!

Hud started wearing his hat and belt around the house at least a week or so before Halloween and he even wore his costume to school for Trunk or Treat so I was pretty sure that wearing it would be no problem.

He was even more excited to wear it because Julian was going to Buzz! By the way getting a picture of these two is quite difficult.

And getting a picture of three under three is even more difficult…

Sweet Max did so good wearing his costume as “Pizza Planet” as Hud calls him.

After many picture attempts we were off to the candy! Max just hung out in his stroller and those two were hand in hand all night. I was shocked that Hud was so insistent on holding his hand.

They were so nice to say “Trick or Treat” at each house and then say thank you. Julian was cracking us up because he would reach his hand right in the bucket and pick out what he wanted ;)

Hud decided he was ready to go back to Papa & Mae Mae’s so we finished up without any argument. I think all of that walking around the block wore them out! We made one last stop at Grandma & Grandpa’s house and then we were candied out for the night! We still have a jar full of candy that needs to be eaten….

Harvest Festival

Here is my post marathon to try to get caught up before I'm even more busy with a newborn....

A few weeks ago we went to the Harvest Festival where we ate and ate and ate. There was a chili cook off and they had the best corn on the cob EVER! Hudson absolutely loves corn!

This is a terrible pic, but they also had a trackless train to ride. He couldn't eat anything until he rode that train!

It was a great family event!

The boys even took a little time to play trains and Hud threw grass on everyone!

Afterwards we went to Papa & Mae Mae's to watch our Cowboys play and I got some cuddle time with this sweet guy. He is NOT cuddly at all so I have to take the opportunities when I get them, they are few and far between. But not too much longer can he rest his head on my big belly..

Family & Friends Shower

On Sunday afternoon we were hanging out at the house after church and lunch with cousin Sarah. Cassie (who lives two hours away) called and said she was in town and wanted to see Hud. A few minutes later she showed up with Michelle and Valerie to pick up Sarah and see Hud. They hung out for a while before leaving.

As soon as they left I had a voicemail from my grandma and before I could even call her back, she was walking in my front door! Hud was so excited to see her, but immediately wanted to know where Pops was. So we went to my parents to see him and when I walked in the front door this is what I saw….

It was no coincidence that two family members who live more than 2 hours away were both at my house the same afternoon ;) Apparently my sister(s) with the help of Ryan had put this together, I’m not really sure the details about any of that!

There was lots of yummy food,

family, friends, and of course my mom’s baked goodies! And not only are they yummy, they are adorable too!

I’m so thankful for all of our sweet family and friends who came to bless us!

I was overwhelmed with their kindness!

And this guy was pretty well convinced it was his birthday because he ended up with about as many things as his baby brother! Everyone was so kind to think of him! Ryan says we now have to cancel Christmas because he’s got so much stuff ;)

We are feeling so blessed that Hayden now has a closet full of diapers and wipes and a dresser full of clothes! It’s a good thing that newborns wear a million outfits or else we would be changing him multiple times a day just to be sure he wears them all! We’re laughing in this one because the shirt says “Daddy and I agree mommy is the boss!” Ha!

I seriously could not say thank you enough to my sisters, husband, family and friends who were involved with Sunday! They are too good to us and I feel so undeserving!